Arise Mighty Warrior

   Judges six tells the story of how the Israelite’s had been completely overtaken by the Midians. The Passion Translation notes on Midian say, “Symbolically, Midian is an illustration of compromise with the world and the strife that results.”  

   The oppression was so bad that it forced the Israelites to “make hiding places for themselves in caves and mountain strongholds.” Judges 6:2 What little food the Israelites could manage to muster up, the Midianites would swoop in and take what they wanted, then destroy the rest. There were so many of them that the bible describes them as “numerous as locusts: both they and their camels were innumerable.” Judges 6:2-6  

   Things seemed hopeless for the Israelites. But an unexpected encounter with “the Angel of the Lord” suddenly brought a breakthrough turn-around for God’s people! 

  The Angel of Yahweh came to the village of Ophrah and sat down under the oak tree.Gideon was secretly threshing wheat in a winepress so that the Midianites would not see him. Yahweh’s Angel suddenly appeared to Gideon and said, “Yahweh’s presence goes with you, man of fearless courage!” Judges 6:12 TPT I actually love the way the New King James says it: “The Lord is with you, you mighty man of valor!” And the NIV: “The Lord is with you, might warrior.”  

   Whichever translation you prefer, take note that Gideon was not brave and he was not a mighty man of valor and he certainly was not a mighty warrior—just yet. Gideon saw himself as an underdog; The meaning of underdog, according to dictionary.com:  A competitor thought to have little chance of winning a fight or contest; victim, prey; a victim of injustice or persecution.  

   When the Angel of the Lord called him “man of fearless courage”, Gideon’s response was, “Me?”  

   It was at this point that the Angel of the Lord revealed Himself as “Yahweh”. Then Yahweh Himself faced Gideon directly and said, “Am I not sending you? With My presence you have all you need. Go in the strength that you now have and rescue Israel from Midian’s power!” Judges 6:14.  

   Gideon’s response to the Lord, “But Lord, how could I ever rescue Israel? Of all the thousands in Manasseh, my clan is the weakest, and I’m the least qualified in my family.” Judges 6:15 

   The Lord did not set Gideon up to fail. He already knew the plans and purpose He had for him, and the Israelite children! “Plans to give them a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 He saw Gideon for who he really was (a mighty warrior) and gave him everything he needed to succeed and defeat the enemy. For the Lord sees the end from the beginning. “I am God, and there is none like me. I declare from the beginning how it will end and foretell from the start what has not yet happened. I decree that my purpose will stand, and I will fulfill My every plan.” Isaiah 46:10  

   The Lord was also not sending Gideon out on his own, His promise to him was, “My presence and My power will be with you. Judges 6:16  

   Now all the Midianites, the Amalekites, and the people of the East formed an army. They crossed the Jordan and camped in the Valley of Jezreel to fight against Israel. Judges 6:33 

   Then something absolutely amazing happened! Then the Sprit of Yahweh clothed Himself in Gideon and enveloped him! Judges 6:34 

   Yahweh was not sending Gideon out in his own strength, but instead He wrapped him up in His own Spirit! For Zechariah 4:6 tells us that it’s Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Hosts.  

   Romans 8:18 tells us that the suffering we have had to endure is less than nothing compared to the magnitude of glory that is about to be unveiled within us. The Lord is about to wrap us up in His Holy Spirit to empower us. He is going to envelope us to arise in triumph! In fact, with My (His) presence you have all you need (right now). Go in the strength that you nowhave! (It’s already in you!)  Because God has made us to be more than conquerors, His demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything! Romans 8:37 

   The Lord used Gideon, a seemingly nobody in his own eyes, to redeem the land for His people! It was a situation that looked impossible in the sight of man, but with God, nothing, absolutely nothing is impossible! 

   Sanctify the fiftieth year; make it a holy year. Proclaim freedom all over the land to everyone who lives in it—a Jubilee for you: Each person will go back to his family’s property and reunite with his extended family. The fiftieth year is your Jubilee year. Leviticus 25:10 

   Jubilee is upon you and the Lord is about to give you back your land! Everything that has been stolen from you is about to be returned! You are going to receive your full inheritance! Liberty, freedom, victory and strength will be yours! The Lord says,  “I am bringing My righteousness closer to you; it is not far off. My deliverance will not be delayed!” Isaiah 46:13    

   For those who feel like an underdog; the least qualified, unseen or unheard, shut down and hidden away, know that the Lord takes the lost, broken, and the most unlikely and breathes His Spirit life in them, then gives them wings to soar with a new identity! He is pointing His finger directly at you, and saying, “Yes, you!” For If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? Romans 8:31 

   “Don’t be afraid, Stand firm and watch God do His work of salvation for you today.” Exodus 14:13  

In that day the Lord will remove the heavy burden from your shoulders and break off the yoke of bondage from your necks because of the heavy anointing upon you!  

Isaiah 10:27